The Ukrainian Week summarises recent developments on the frontline as well as updates to the military aid delivered to Ukraine by its Western partners.
- Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv: On December 13, in the early hours of the morning, Russian occupation forces launched ten ballistic missiles in an attack on Kyiv. Ukraine’s Air Defence Forces reportedly intercepted all of the missiles. However, later in the day, the Kyiv City State Administration and the Air Force press service reported that the missile debris fell in various areas of the Ukrainian capital. This was the second Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv in the last two days. Russians launched the missiles at approximately 3 AM. As a result of the night attack, 53 people were injured: 36 women and 17 men, including 6 children. Twenty of the victims were hospitalised.
- Norway’s military aid: The Norwegian government has approved the transfer of additional NASAMS air defence systems to Ukraine for a total sum of $30 million. Some of the anti-aircraft missile systems will be sent from Norway’s own stockpiles to ensure swift delivery to Ukraine, while others will be ordered and delivered later. Additionally, Norway is allocating 3 billion Norwegian kroner ($273 million) to Ukraine for humanitarian support, including education, healthcare, and pension payments. This assistance will be provided through the World Bank Trust Fund for Assistance, Recovery, Reconstruction, and Reform in Ukraine (URTF). This aid package also includes a 1 billion Norwegian kroner for co-financing to enhance Ukraine’s defence industry capabilities to produce more ammunition and missiles.
- The U.S. military aid: Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Joe Biden. During the meeting, the American president announced a new aid package for Ukraine valued at up to $200 million. This announcement is the Biden Administration’s fifty-third tranche of equipment to be provided for Ukraine since August 2021. The package includes additional air defence capabilities, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russia’s ongoing invasion. The package will include AIM-9M missiles for air defence, additional ammunition for HIMARS, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, HARMs, TOW missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armour systems.
- Military aid from the Czech Republic: The Czech Republic issued licenses for the supply of military equipment to Ukraine worth €4,7 billion. At the end of November, Jana Černochová, the Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic, stated that the reserves of Czech military warehouses were depleted; however, the Czech Republic announced it would be issuing licenses to export military materials to Ukraine.
- Update from the Kupiansk direction: In the direction of Kupiansk, the Russian occupation army continues its assault near Synkivka and Petropavlivka. On December 13, Oleg Synyehubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Administration, told the Ukrainian media outlet Suspilne that if Russians succeed in capturing Synkivka, they would be able to block Kupiansk and Kupiansk-Vuzlovyy. According to Synyehubov, Synkivka is a “grey zone”. “Synkivka is essentially a grey zone, surrounded by ongoing combat operations,” he said.
- Russians continue to assault Avdiivka: In Ukraine, 95 clashes with the Russian occupation forces were recorded on the front line over the course of the day. The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to repel Russian attacks near Avdiivka and in the Mariupol direction. In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian forces continue to repel Russian forces. On December 13, Oleksandr Tarnavskyy, commander of the Operational-Strategic Grouping of forces Tavriya, reported that a day before, Russian forces lost 13 tanks and 12 various armoured vehicles near Avdiivka and Mariinka. According to Tarnavskyy, Russians also conducted 3 air raids and carried out 658 artillery shelling in the past day.
